Sprint HTC EVO Design 4G hands-on

We just got our hands on an HTC EVO Design 4G review unit from Sprint — the latest member of Sprint’s EVO family of Android smartphones — and we were instantly reminded of the HTC Incredible on Verizon Wireless upon opening the box. Though the EVO Design 4G lacks an AMOLED display and is noticeably longer, the resemblance is unmistakable. The phone is a bit fat for a device that doesn’t offer a full QWERTY keyboard though, and we can’t figure out why it’s so chunky. In any case, it certainly feels very solid, no doubt thanks to the metal that hugs the back of the phone and runs around its entire body. The soft rubber areas on the back of the EVO Design 4G also provide good grip. Check out our hands-on photo gallery below for images and hit the break for more.

The phone’s 1.2GHz processor swiftly moves around Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) without any lag issues, and its 4-inch qHD display was noticeably sharp. Small text on websites was easy to read, even when we were fully zoomed-out. The 5-megapixel camera took some decent shots during our initial tests, and we like the additional camera features HTC adds as part of its Sense user experience.

An initial 4G WiMAX speed test in New York City clocked in at 3.04Mbps down and 1.32Mbps up — not bad given the device was reporting a relatively weak 4G signal at the time. The EVO Design 4G currently costs $99.99 with a new two-year Sprint contract and after a $50-mail in rebate. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly 4G phone with relatively high-end specs, you might want to keep this on your list of devices to consider.

HTC need to make a device without sense. Their build quality is outstanding but sense is full of bloat.

Anonymous

…And they could call it the HTC Nonsense. :-)

Guest

Best comment on BGR in a while.

http://www.droiddoes.com/ Norm

but…but…but… with android you are free and open to change easily, right? RIGHT? R I G H T?!?!?!?

Guest

Right. Which is a better model for consumers as the market has repeatedly shown.

….u mad?

fz553

You are absolutely right :) Just install any launcher, customize it and you have your own unique experience. Pretty simple.

http://twitter.com/AliMazooji Ali M

You sure are. Don’t like Sense? Buy an SGSII. Don’t like TouchWiz? Buy a Nexus S. Like the phone but want a different interface? Download one of the many available for free on the Android Market. Want an Adroid phone a physical keyboard? Buy a Droid 3.

Want a physical keyboard or different interface on that other phone? Eat shit & die!

Anonymous

Was that speed test conducted inside or outside?

http://twitter.com/Everlong44 S.C.

This thing will sell like hotcakes… I heard the preorders are sold out.

sean smith

hey like my status about the purpose project to spread knowledge and raise the GPA ha facebook/seanwessmith

Guest

All these companies need a lesson in branding. You can’t just throw the EVO moniker on there and trick people into thinking that means its good. Doing it over and over only dilutes a brand (like EVO) especially when you have bow high and low end (shift 4g) devices using the name.

Anonymous

I welcome another member to the current EVO FAMILY. The present granddaddy of all 4g android devices the EVO 4G is coming to a close and won’t be sold any longer this EVO DESIGN 4G IS A GREAT PRICE for a very capable device. HTC means quality and the EVO BRAND is on of the top android devices on the market.

Mmhmm

Would it kill you to make a video? Your words are meaningless until we see the device ‘live’ in action. I do not get why you are the only site that will not make a video review. Useless.

Anonymous

It’s too bad, this will probably sell as poorly as the Evo 3D

Anonymous

Which is crazy cuz the Evo 3D is bad ass. My wife has one, love that phone. The 3D camera is a gimmick that totally has me.